Bolton Wanderers U18s lose to Southampton in final home game

WANDERERS Under-18s were left disappointed after their final home game of the season which they narrowly lost 1-0 to Southampton on Saturday.

It was a clash devoid of clear-cut chances and it took a second-half penalty for the Saints to seal victory.

The Whites began brightly with Sam Bailey creating two early openings.

At the other end Southampton striker Ryan Seager sent a shot straight at Will Jaaskelainen.

In the second half, Tyler Garratt was on hand to clear off the line for Wanderers.

But the deciding goal came for the visitors on 71 minutes against the run of play.

Alex Honeyball upended Jake Flannigan in the area and Seager stepped up to convert the resulting spot kick, sending Jaaskelainen the wrong way, leaving Whites coach David Lee disappointed with a third successive FA U18 Premier League defeat, although he felt the under-16s who figured would learn plenty from the game against a good Saints side.

Lee said: “It was a non-starter for both teams with no real chances thoughout the game, although from a development view, it was good for the under-16s who were involved again.”

Lee and Tony Kelly’s young Whites travel to London to face West Ham on Saturday (1.30pm) before ending their campaign at Liverpool next month.